psychological features associated with gallstone disease

EDUCAŢIE MEDICALĂ CONTINUĂ
10
PSYCHOLOGICAL FEATURES ASSOCIATED WITH
GALLSTONE DISEASE
Dorin Dragos,1 Maria D. Tanasescu1, Mihai O. Comsa1, Alexandru Minca1, Dan Olteanu2
1
Nephrology Department, Bucharest Emergency University Hospital,
„Carol Davila“ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest
2 st
1 Internal Medicine Department, Bucharest Emergency University Hospital,
„Carol Davila“ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest
ABSTRACT
The present study aims to identify and compare the psychological factors that may contribute to an individual’s
predisposition for developing gallstone disease. Totally, 10,192 respondents to our specially designed triple questionnaire containing 614 psychological and medical items to assess the psychological features associated with
gallstone disease were included in this cross-sectional study. The psychological items most strongly correlated
with gallstone disease were those reflecting the tendency to self-sacrifice, hard-work, care for others, responsibility and discontent. At the heart of the gallstone-associated mindset seems to reside the inclination to frustrate
one’s desires/interests for the sake of fulfilling one’s familial/social/professional duties/responsibilities.
Keywords: gallstone, psychological, psychic, self-sacrifice, hard-working, altruism,
responsibility, discontent
INTRODUCTION
Despite the increased prevalence of gallstone
disease (GD) and extensive research of its determinism by medical factors, there are very few reports regarding the role of psychic factors in its aetiology. At present, relevant clinical evidence
suggests a role of psychological factors in the aetiology of a variety of diseases with a major in the
population, independent of the geographical factors, religion or other variables of the environment
that differ in large populational groups. Cardiovascular disease (CVD), for example, comprises depression and anxiety between its risk factors
(Khayyam-Nekouei et al., 2013), and other reports
have added to the previous the anger suppression,
and stress associated with relationships or family
responsibilities as determinants of CVD (Low et
al., 2010). The literature has included these intricate relationships between pathologies and psychosomatic features in the field of the psychosomatic
medicine. Promoting an integrative approach, psy-
chosomatic medicine deals with psychophysiologic
disorders in which there are demonstrable anatomic
and functional changes in which psychopathologic
processes are considered to be etiologically important as in the case of bronchial asthma, atrial fibrillation, essential arterial hypertension, dyspepsia,
irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcer, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, chronic pain, migraine,
rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, chronic urticaria and pollakiuria (Jakovljević et al., 2010).
A rather old paper asserts the importance of psychological stress and of neurovegetative lability in
the formation of gallstones, while suggesting an allergic type „angioneurotic reaction” as the mediator of this process (Soustek and Dyrhonová, 1981).
Emotional lability, aggressiveness, and depression
proneness are psychological features more often
encountered in individuals developing gallstones
(Geissler, 1981). In this contest it is not uncommon
however, to find a significant relationship between
emotional lability, as a psychologic factor, and general disease vulnerability (Yousfi et al., 2004). Re-
Corresponding author:
Dorin Dragos, Nephrology Department, Bucharest Emergency University Hospital, 169 Splaiul Independenţei, Street, district 5, Bucharest
E-mail: dorindragos@gmail.com
REVISTA MEDICALÅ ROMÂNÅ – VOLUMUL LXII, NR. 1, An 2015
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REVISTA MEDICALÅ ROMÂNÅ – VOLUMUL LXII, NR. 1, An 2015
cent stress is a risk factor for GD, but it might not
be an independent one, as its influence could be
explained by the presence of increased levels of
blood cholesterol (Sachdeva et al., 2011; Kuta et
al., 1984).
Experiments performed on animals have revealed that individuals compelled to a subordination attitude are prone to bile retention, which may
be a harbinger of cholesterol gallstones (Earley et
al., 2004). Other types of stress (beside social
stress) are also able to promote cholestasis by inhibiting gallbladder contraction, an effect attributed
to the sympathetic activation induced by the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) (Lenz et al., 1992).
Psychic factors also seem to function as modulators for the gallstones-induced symptoms, pain
being more prominent in the individuals with faulty
coping abilities (Svebak et al., 2000).
The psychological features found to be associated with gallstones in the very few previous studies are too broad to delineate a profile for GD individuals. The explanation probably relates to the
questionnaires currently used for psychological investigation, as the issues they are exploring (such
as anxiety, depression, hostility, etc.) are too general – consequently, the associations they are revealing lack specificity. In these circumstances, a
more detailed approach is needed. Therefore, we
have built a triple questionnaire (Dragoş et al.,
2011; Dragoş et al., 2011) out of the items that a
previously conducted retrospective study (Dragoş
et al., 2010) has suggested as the most susceptible
to be associated with some common diseases. Using this questionnaire, we have initiated a crosssectional study aiming to ascertain whether some
of the most frequent disorders are (more or less)
specifically associated with certain psychological
configurations. In the present paper, we present the
results regarding GD in association with psychological factors.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
The study sample
The analysis includes the answers provided by
our first 10192 respondents (1711 males and 8481
females) from October 2009 until July 2011. The
average age of the respondents was 33.98 ± 11.39
yrs (35.43 ± 12.52 yrs for males, 33.68 ± 11.13 yrs
for females). Only individuals who correctly and
completely filled in our questionnaire were admitted in our study sample. The vast majority of our
respondents were aged between 16 and 78 yrs (only
20, i.e. 0.002%, were between 10 and 15 yrs old, 11
of them being 15 yrs old). In order to protect the
privacy of our respondents, the only compulsory
data were the age and gender, besides an e-mail address that was used for correspondence. As a compensation for their participation, we supplied each
respondent with a psychological profile based on
their responses (the method we built this psychological profile is irrelevant to the scope of the study)
and an estimation of their disease risk according to
the results of the study after completion. No other
incentive was offered to the respondents – we considered that this was the most appropriate method
to ensure that their answers were unbiased, sincere
and reflecting reality. We refused to send the certificates for participation in this study as requested
by two respondents, thereby discouraging anyone
that would have superficially (or even randomly)
filled in the questionnaire, driven by the purpose of
obtaining a participation certificate. There are probably only few respondents that insincerely filled in
the questionnaire, as no organization is using it as a
personnel selection tool.
The questionnaire
Among the 614 items of our triple questionnaire
(available at: http://drdorindragos.ro/causesdiseases.html), 533 are exploring psychological issues
[these are the psychological items (PsyIts)], while
the remainder refer to various symptoms and diseases (respiratory, cardiac, digestive, urinary, gynecological) [these are the medical items (MedIts)].
For each item, the respondents were asked to check
one out of five variants (qualificatives) arranged in
a quantitatively increasing order. One of the 81
MedIts was ”I was diagnosed with gallstones on ultrasound” – but in this paper it was interpreted in
relation to the psychological correlations of this
MedIt. The five variants the respondent could check
for this MedIt were: ”Less than 3 months ago”,
”Less than 6 months ago”, ”Less than 1 year ago”,
”More than 1 year ago”, and ”Never”. Corresponding to these temporal cutoff points, we have divided
our patients into four pairs of dichotomous categories: those with ultrasonographic evidence of gallstones in the last 3 months (G-3M-group), in the
last 6 months (G-6M-group), in the last 12 months
(G-12M-group), any time in the past (G-group) and
the others. Obviously, the G-group includes the
G-12M-group, which includes the G-6M-group,
which includes the G-3M-group.
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Statistical analysis
By systematically applying the Cronbach alpha
(CrA) test at first to all the pairs of PsyIts and then
to various groups of PsyIts, we eventually divided
the PsyIts into 64 psychological categories (PsyCts)
(one PsyIt may belong to several PsyCts). A CrA
>0.7 was considered to indicate good internal consistency of a given PsyCt. Furthermore, we requested that no PsyIt in a given PsyCt lowers the
CrA for the rest of the group with more than 0.02,
i.e. the CrA for the group without the respective
PsyIt shouldn’t be more than 0.02 above the CrA
for the group including that PsyIt. The fulfillment
of this criterion (for which we propose the term internal synergy) indicates that no item in the group
was arbitrarily added to it. We have chosen selfexplantory names for the PsyCts. We have further
grouped the ensuing PsyCts into four domains:
1. Preoccupation with the basal conditions of existence (survival/fear, health/disease/death, money,
lodging); 2. Interaction with other people; 3. Action, will/volition, self-assertion; 4. Preoccupation
with the exterior.
In order to establish the correlation between
PsyIts/PsyCts and the MedIt we have used the chisquare test (ChiSq) applied to all the pairs formed
of the MedIt and a PsyIt/PsyCt. Due to the strength
of our sample, there were no expected values less
than five, rendering it unnecessary to apply Fisher’s
exact test. The correlation with an entire PsyCt was
calculated by taking into account both the highest
score of any PsyIt in that PsyCt, and the average
score of all the PsyIts in the same PsyCt. As the
results yielded by the two methods were not significantly different, we present only those obtained
by means of the first. Odds ratio (OR) was used as
a measure of association.
For clarity reasons we have reduced the five
variants the respondent could check for each PsyIt
to only two: below and above the average for the
respective PsyIt (for each PsyIt we have calculated
the average over the whole group of respondents
after assigning numerical values – 1 through 5 – to
the five qualificatives).
Due to the large number of calculated parameters (614 × 613/2 = 188191), we have based our
conclusions only on the results with a P < 10-6 [we
have considered these results as absolutely statistically significant (ASS)]. Nonetheless, for fear of
sliding into Type II error, we have also mentioned
some results with a P > 10-6, but < 0.05 [we have
considered these results as relatively statistically
significant (RSS)].
We shall rely in our conclusions on the PsyIts
ASS correlated (ASS-C) with the G group (ASSC_G).
The statistical analysis was done using Visual
Basic for Applications built in Microsoft Excel
2000 (Redmond, WA, US).
Ethics
As our respondents were free to preserve their
anonymity and were exempt from any prejudicial
effects. While advertising our research we clearly
stated that the information from our respondents
will be used in a study. Therefore, by filling in the
questionnaires, our respondents implicitly gave
their informed consent thereto. Consequently, we
consider that our study raises no ethical concerns.
RESULTS
Among the 10192 respondents there were 1442
that have gallstones in the present or have had
sometime in the past. Therefore, our case group
was 1442 strong, while the control group was 8750
strong.
The psychological features of gallstone patients
(results provided by the chi-squared test)
We present first the PsyIts ASS-C_G, assembled
under the PsyCts and the domains they belong to.
The PsyIts in the first two domains most strongly
correlated with G group belong to the „Health”,
„Fear”, and „Equity” PsyCts (Table 1), while those
in the third domain belong to the „Work” and „Discontent” PsyCts (Table 2). The fourth domain (Table 3) includes some of the most consistently represented and most strongly related to G group PsyCts.
The strongest correlation is provided by „Sacrifice”
PsyCt, which reflects the inclination to neglect
one’s interests for the benefit of others. Closely
connected with it are a less well represented PsyCt,
„Altruism”, expressing the eagerness to help others, and the best represented PsyCt, „Compassion”,
defined by the worry about/sympathy for others.
In order to increase the probability that the PsyIts we are identifying are indeed related to GD, we
have searched for those PsyIts that are both ASSC_G and at least RSS correlated (RSS-C) with at
least one of the other three gallstone groups – we
have found that the strongest correlations are yielded by the PsyIts in the first two domains expressing
claustrophobia and frustration (Table 4), by those
in the third domain reflecting inclination to work
and discontent (Table 4), and by self-sacrifice, al-
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TABLE 1. Correlation of a selection of items in the first two domains with ultrasonographic evidence of gallstones.
PsyCt
„Order”
PsyIt
„When I get home I start tidying up”
„I am discontented with the attitude, gestures,
„Couple, partner”
actions, habits of my partner (spouse, friend)”
„It is difficult for me to fall asleep because I am
„Rumination”
troubled by thoughts”
„Conflict”
„Conflicts/fights affect/bother me”
„I am honest even if this puts me at a disadvantage”
„I consider that we cannot manifest ourselves
freely, without restrictions, but only by respecting
the rules of decency”
„Equity”
„I do my best in order to preserve justice”
„I believe that laws should be strictly applied in all
situations”
„I respect the laws/rules even if it’s to my
disadvantage”
„Sense of injustice” „I was unjustly punished”
E-D- E-D+
6026 744
E+D2924
E+D+
498
OR (95% CI)
__P___
1.38 (1.22-1.56) 2×10-7
4730
530
4220
712
1.51 (1.34-1.7)
2×10-11
3976
452
4974
790
1.4 (1.24-1.58)
9×10-8
2452
6721
253
814
6498
2229
989
428
1.48 (1.28-1.71)
1.58 (1.39-1.79)
1×10-7
7×10-13
5174
596
3776
646
1.49 (1.32-1.67)
6×10-11
2479
241
6471
1001
1.59 (1.37-1.85)
6×10-10
4804
564
4146
678
1.39 (1.24-1.57)
5×10-8
4961
587
3989
655
1.39 (1.23-1.56)
6×10-8
4630
524
4320
718
1.47 (1.3-1.66)
3×10-10
The selection of psychological items in the first two domains absolutely statistically significantly correlated with ultrasonographic evidence of gallstones any time in the past; PsyCt/PsyIt = psychological category/item; E+D+/E+D- = number of exposed patients with/without gallstones;
E-D+/E-D- = number of non-exposed patients with/without gallstones; OR = odds ratio; 95% CI = 95% confidence interval; P = P-value.
TABLE 2. Correlation of the PsyIts in the third domain with ultrasonographic evidence of gallstones.
PsyCt
„Work”
„Profession
preoccupation”
„Demanding
profession”
„Perfectionism”
„Authority”
„Authoritarian
parents”
„Self-assertion”
„Discontent”
PsyIt
„I tend to work excessively at home”
„I volunteer to do more than I am asked
to”
„I work assiduously at the workplace and/
or at home”
„I tend to work excessively at my job on
my own initiative”
„I am ready to make compromises to keep
a certain job or position”
„I am ready to compromise in order to get
a particular job or position”
E-D6557
E-D+
764
E+D2393
E+D+
478
OR (95% CI)
1.71 (1.52-1.94)
__P___
6×10-18
5735
649
3215
593
1.63 (1.45-1.84)
7×10-16
4503
479
4447
763
1.61 (1.43-1.82)
8×10-15
2988
307
5962
935
1.53 (1.33-1.75)
9×10-10
4462
740
4488
502
0.67 (0.6-0.76)
1×10-10
5513
862
3437
380
0.71 (0.62-0.8)
1×10-7
„I think I have too many tasks at work”
4314
499
4636
743
1.39 (1.23-1.57)
8×10-8
„I work seriously”
„I consider myself fastidious in my actions”
„I am affected/hurt by the conflict with
authority persons/factors (in the family,
group, community, profession, society,
institutions, authorities, police, church,
etc.)”
„My parents have forced me to behave/
act in a given way”
„When I hear about the successes of
others, I compare them with my own”
„In life, I had troubles”
„Life has been unfair to me”
5780
5548
706
674
3170
3402
536
568
1.38 (1.23-1.56)
1.37 (1.22-1.55)
1×10-7
2×10-7
4313
475
4637
767
1.5 (1.33-1.7)
5×10-11
4929
587
4021
655
1.37 (1.21-1.54)
2×10-7
6391
784
2559
458
0.69 (0.61-0.78)
2×10-9
4471
5062
430
577
4479
3888
812
665
1.89 (1.67-2.14)
1.5 (1.33-1.69)
2×10-24
2×10-11
The psychological items in the third domain absolutely statistically significantly correlated with ultrasonographic evidence of gallstones any time
in the past; PsyCt/PsyIt = psychological category/item; E+D+/E+D- = number of exposed patients with/without gallstones; E-D+/E-D- = number of
non-exposed patients with/without gallstones; OR = odds ratio; 95% CI = 95% confidence interval; P = P-value.
truism and compassion associated PsyIts, in the
fourth domain (Table 5).
Among the PsyCts that are ASS-C or RSS-C
with at least one of the four gallstone groups (Table
6), the strongest correlations are provided by „Sac-
rifice” and “Work” PsyCts (both ASS-C_G), followed by “Authority” and “Authoritarian parents”
(both ASS-C_G), and then by “Equity”, “Cleanliness”, and “Discontent”.
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TABLE 3. The correlation of the PsyIts in the fourth domain with ultrasonographic evidence of gallstones.
PsyCt
PsyIt
„It affects me when someone is suffering/
has troubles”
„I feel myself the distress/suffering of
others”
„I worry for my family members”
„Compassion”
„I worry for my colleagues or neighbors,
even if we are not close to each other”
„I worry about strangers if I know they are
in a difficult situation”
„I worry for my partner (spouse/friend)”
„I neglect my needs in order to take care of
the others”
„I sacrifice myself for others”
„I consider the interests of others above my
„Sacrifice”
own interests”
„I do my best for the comfort of others,
even if this makes me feel uncomfortable”
„I give up my affairs to help others”
„I do everything I can for others”
„Altruism”
„In order to feel all right, I do something for
others”
„If I do not fulfill my civic duties, I feel
guilty”
„Responsibility” „I was feeling guilty if I went to school with
unlearned lesson or neglected homework”
„At school I missed classes” (×)
„I tend to work excessively at my job on my
own initiative”
„Commitment”
„I work seriously”
„I put my heart in what I do”
E-D-
E-D+
E+D-
E+D+
OR (95% CI)
__P___
3848
384
5102
858
1.69 (1.48-1.91)
6×10-16
5884
687
3066
555
1.55 (1.37-1.75)
6×10-13
4843
544
4107
698
1.51 (1.34-1.71)
9×10-12
4584
525
4366
717
1.43 (1.27-1.62)
3×10-9
3361
363
5589
879
1.46 (1.28-1.66)
1×10-8
4952
592
3998
650
1.36 (1.21-1.53)
4×10-7
6476
734
2474
508
1.81 (1.6-2.05)
6×10-22
6427
752
2523
490
1.66 (1.47-1.88)
4×10-16
5994
702
2956
540
1.56 (1.38-1.76)
4×10-13
5916
696
3034
546
1.53 (1.36-1.73)
3×10-12
6593
4086
815
436
2357
4864
427
806
1.47 (1.29-1.66)
1.55 (1.37-1.76)
2×10-9
2×10-12
6498
786
2452
456
1.54 (1.36-1.74)
9×10-12
2940
298
6010
944
1.55 (1.35-1.78)
3×10-10
4361
499
4589
743
1.41 (1.25-1.6)
2×10-8
4473
518
4477
724
1.4 (1.24-1.57)
5×10-8
2988
307
5962
935
1.53 (1.33-1.75)
9×10-10
5780
5387
706
652
3170
3563
536
590
1.38 (1.23-1.56)
1.37 (1.21-1.54)
1×10-7
2×10-7
The psychological items in the fourth domain absolutely statistically significantly correlated with ultrasonographic evidence of gallstones any time
in the past; PsyCt/PsyIt = psychological category/item; E+D+/E+D- = number of exposed patients with/without gallstones; E-D+/E-D- = number of
non-exposed patients with/without gallstones; OR = odds ratio; 95% CI = 95% confidence interval; P = P-value; × = the opposite of that item was
taken into account.
The internal consistency and synergy of the
PsyCts (results provided by the Cronbach alpha
test)
As stated above, CrA test was used to assess the
internal consistency and synergy of the subgroups
of PsyIts in each PsyCt ASS-C_G.
The CrA for the subgroup of five PsyIts in „Equity” PsyCt ASS-C_G is insufficient (0.663). Nonetheless, the subgroup has internal synergy (i.e. none
of PsyIts lowers the group CrA, the corresponding
CrA values for the subgroup without each of its
PsyIts in turn being 0.62, 0.649, 0.63, 0.598, and
0.558, respectively), while the whole „Equity”
PsyCt (which includes 16 PsyIts) has both internal
consistency (CrA = 0.84) and synergy.
The CrA for the four PsyIts in „Work” PsyCt
ASS-C_G is good (0.785), proving that this PsyCt
is characteristically associated with the G group.
This PsyCt has also internal synergy (the corresponding CrA values for the subgroup without each
of its PsyIts in turn being 0.753, 0.722, 0.733, and
0.722, respectively).
In „Compassion” PsyCt, there is good internal
consistency (CrA = 0.761). However, internal synergy is faulty, as among the corresponding CrA values for the subgroup without each of its PsyIts in
turn (0.699, 0.717, 0.748, 0.714, 0.701, and 0.775,
respectively), the last one lowers the group’s CrA.
Nevertheless, we have overcome this setback after
dropping the two PsyIts referring to worry about
relatives („I worry for my family members” and „I
worry for my partner”), the CrA value for the resultant four-PsyIts subgroup being 0.794, unsurpassed
by none ot the CrA values for the subgroup without
each of its PsyIts in turn (0.738, 0.75, 0.768, and
0.713, respectively).
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TABLE 4. The PsyIts in the first three domains absolutely or relatively significantly correlated with at least two of the
four gallstone groups.
PsyIt
(„Order”) „When I get home I start
tidying up”
(„Couple, partner”) „I am
discontented with the attitude,
gestures, actions, habits of my
partner (spouse, friend)”
(„Rumination”) „It is difficult for
me to fall asleep because I am
troubled by thoughts”
(„Sense of injustice”) „I was
unjustly punished”
(„Work”) „I tend to work
excessively at home”
(„Work”) „I volunteer to do more
than I am asked to”
(„Demand. profession”) „I think I
have too many tasks at work”
(„Contemplative nat.”) „I am
impressed with landscapes,
nature, flowers”
(„Perfectionism”) „I work
seriously”
(„Discontent”) „In life, I had
trouble”
(„Discontent”) „People’s
behavior in public places (streets,
institutions, means of transport)
annoys me”
(„Discontent”) „Life has been
unfair to me”
G-group
OR
P
(95% CI)
1.4
5×10-08
(1.24-1.58)
G-12M-group
OR
P
(95% CI)
1.27
0.04
(1.01-1.61)
G-6M-group
OR
P
(95% CI)
G-3M-group
OR
P
(95% CI)
7×10-12
1.52
(1.35-1.71)
0.0007
1.49
(1.18-1.87)
0.03
1.44
(1.03-2.02)
0.04
1.61
(1.03-2.53)
2×10-08
1.42
(1.26-1.61)
0.0006
1.51
(1.19-1.92)
0.003
1.71
(1.19-2.46)
0.01
1.8
(1.12-2.92)
0.04
1.42
(1.01-1.99)
0.03
1.62
(1.03-2.55)
0.01
1.54
(1.1-2.15)
0.003
1.95
(1.25-3.03)
0.003
1.67
(1.19-2.34)
0.001
2.18
(1.35-3.52)
0.01
1.78
(1.14-2.78)
2×10-10
7×10-18
2×10-16
8×10-08
3×10-09
1×10-07
2×10-24
1.47
(1.31-1.66)
1.71
(1.51-1.94)
1.65
(1.46-1.85)
1.39
(1.23-1.57)
1.43
(1.27-1.61)
1.38
(1.23-1.56)
1.89
(1.67-2.14)
0.006
0.03
0.002
0.002
0.0009
0.009
1×10-07
1.38
(1.1-1.74)
1.3
(1.02-1.66)
1.42
(1.13-1.79)
1.44
(1.14-1.82)
1.47
(1.17-1.85)
1.36
(1.08-1.71)
1.89
1.81
0.0008
(1.49-2.41)
(1.27-2.58)
4×10-07
1.36
(1.21-1.53)
0.009
1.35
(1.08-1.7)
2×10-11
1.5
(1.34-1.69)
0.003
1.41
(1.12-1.77)
0.005
1.62
(1.16-2.28)
In the parentheses, preceding each psychological item, there is the psychological category which includes the item;
(G-3M-group/G-6M-group/G-12M-group/G-group = the group of patients with ultrasonographic evidence of gallstones in the last 3 months/in
the last 6 months/in the last 12 months/any time in the past; E+D+/E+D- = number of exposed patients with/without gallstones;
E-D+/E-D- = number of non-exposed patients with/without gallstones; OR = odds ratio; 95% CI = 95% confidence interval; P = P-value.
Not only are all PsyIts in the „Sacrifice” PsyCt
ASS-C_G, but this PsyCt also has a high internal
consistency (CrA = 0.89) and synergy (CrA for the
group is definitely higher than the CrA for all the
one-item less partial subgroups, which are 0.875,
0.862, 0.868, 0.859, and 0.869, respectively).
The ASS-C_G PsyIts in the „Responsibility”
PsyCt add up into a low CrA (0.575) group (internally synergic: 0.495, 0.568, and 0.321, respectively), but they are part of a much bigger, internally
consistent (CrA = 0.798) and synergic 13-PsyIts
group.
The same applies to the „Commitment” PsyCt,
with the three PsyIts ASS-C_G (Table 3) forming a
group with a low CrA (0.575), although internally
synergic (0.542, 0.446, and 0.464, respectively).
Nevertheless, they are part of a larger 10-PsyIts
group with good internal consistency (CrA = 0.829)
and synergy.
DISCUSSION
The PsyIts ASS-C_G fall in several PsyCts that
can be circumscribed to several psychic tendencies.
One is the concern for others’ well-being, which
seems to be the defining psychological feature for
gallstone patients, as indicated by the PsyIts in
„Compassion”, „Sacrifice”, and „Altruism” PsyCts
(Table 3). Nonetheless, there is a second psychic
tendency delineated by PsyIts in „Order”, „Equity”
(Table 1), „Profession preoccupation” (notice the
subunitary OR), „Perfectionism”, „Authority”,
„Authoritarian parents” (Table 2), and „Responsibility” (Table 3) PsyCts, that have in common the
compliance with something imposed: order, rules,
norms. It has been shown that perfectionsim and
perfectionistic self-presentation, which relate to
our PsyCts “Profession preocupation”, were associated with greater sickness impact in ulcerative
55
REVISTA MEDICALÅ ROMÂNÅ – VOLUMUL LXII, NR. 1, An 2015
TABLE 5. The PsyIts in the fourth domain absolutely or relatively significantly correlated with at least two of the four
gallstone groups.
G-group
PsyIt
(„Compassion”) „I worry for my
colleagues or neighbors, even if we
are not close to each other”
(„Compassion”) „I worry for my
family members”
(„Compassion”) „I worry about
strangers if I know they are in a
difficult situation”
(„Compassion”) „It affects me when
someone is suffering/ has trouble”
(„Compassion”) „I feel myself the
distress/ suffering of others”
(„Responsibility”) „If I do not fulfill
my civic duties, I feel guilty”
(„Altruism”) „To feel all right, I do
something for others”
(„Altruism”) „I do my best for the
comfort of others, even if this makes
me feel uncomfortable”
(„Altruism”) „I do everything I can
for others”
(„Altruism”) „I neglect my needs in
order to take care of the others”
(„Altruism”) „I sacrifice myself for
others”
(„Altruism”) „I give up my affairs to
help others”
(„Tension”) „I can stay calm”
G-12M-group
OR
P
(95% CI)
P
OR
(95% CI)
3×10-09
1.43
(1.27-1.62)
0.02
1.3
(1.03-1.64)
6×10-12
1.52
(1.35-1.71)
0.002
1.43
(1.13-1.79)
1×10-08
1.45
(1.28-1.65)
0.008
1.4
(1.09-1.8)
3×10-16
7×10-13
2×10-10
4×10-12
2×10-12
2×10-12
3×10-22
2×10-16
2×10-09
2×10-07
1.69
(1.49-1.92)
1.55
(1.37-1.75)
1.56
(1.36-1.79)
1.55
(1.37-1.75)
0.002
0.005
0.01
9×10-05
1.48
(1.16-1.88)
1.39
(1.1-1.75)
1.4
(1.07-1.81)
1.59
(1.26-2.01)
1.54
(1.36-1.73)
1.56
(1.38-1.76)
1.82
(1.61-2.06)
1.66
(1.47-1.88)
1.47
(1.3-1.67)
0.72
(0.64-0.82)
1.46
(1.15-1.85)
1.42
0.004
(1.12-1.79)
1.49
0.0008
(1.18-1.89)
1.28
0.05
(1-1.64)
0.7
0.003
(0.55-0.89)
0.002
G-6M-group
OR
P
(95% CI)
G-3M-group
OR
P
(95% CI)
0.0002
1.88
(1.35-2.64)
0.010363
1.57
(1.11-2.21)
0.04
1.42
(1.01-2)
0.02
1.66
(1.16-2.37)
1.57
(1.11-2.22)
1.74
(1.24-2.45)
0.03
0.005
0.01
0.001
1.67
(1.08-2.6)
1.62
(1.04-2.55)
1.77
0.01
(1.13-2.76)
G-3M-group/G-6M-group/G-12M-group/G-group = the group of patients with ultrasonographic evidence of gallstones in the last 3 months/in the
last 6 months/in the last 12 months/any time in the past; OR = odds ratio; 95% CI = 95% confidence interval; P = P-value.
colitis and Crohn’s disease (Flett et al., 2011). A
study conducted to investigate the causal relationship between personality traits and mortality risk in
older adults also incriminated perfectionism and
neuroticism as predictors of a significantly greater
risk of death compared to individuals in which
these personality traits were less evident (Fry and
Debats, 2009). These results could easily be extrapolated to our study, as pathologic processes in the
digestive tract are somewhat dependent with regards to etiologic agents. Some PsyIts („I am honest even if this puts me at a disadvantage”, „I respect the laws/rules even if it’s to my disadvantage”)
in „Equity” PsyCt (Table 2) suggest a possible link
between these two psychic tendencies, indicating a
more general one: putting aside one’s interests and/
or desires while heeding those of somebody else or
of a larger social group. This is epitomized by the
PsyIt with the second lowest P („I neglect my needs
in order to take care of the others” in „Sacrifice”
PsyCt – Table 3), which may serve as a beacon in
understanding the gallstone psychological profile
(in case such a psychological profile does exist).
Taking this PsyIt as a focal point, we might identify
three psychological continua converging thereto
(either deriving from it or abutting to it):
(1) the first goes from the inclination to deny
oneself something for the benefit of others („Sacrifice”) to the broader readiness to do anything for
others („Altruism”), and to the even broader care
for/sympathy with others („Compassion”) (Table
3);
(2) the second psychological continuum has
the same starting point, but runs toward commitment to hard, earnest work: „Work”, „Perfectionism” (Table 2), and „Commitment” (Table 3);
(3) the third may explain our pivotal psychological feature as a consequence of the propensity
to heed social/professional rules and principles
with the inherent denial of one’s immediate needs/
56
REVISTA MEDICALÅ ROMÂNÅ – VOLUMUL LXII, NR. 1, An 2015
TABLE 6. A selection of the PsyCts absolutely or relatively significantly correlated with at least one of the four
gallstone groups.
G-group
PsyCt
G-12M-group
G-6M-group
OR (95% CI)
P
OR (95% CI)
P
„Cleanliness”
1.32 (1.17-1.49)
6×10-6
1.46 (1.16-1.85)
0.001
„Order”
1.17 (1.04-1.32)
0.008
„Prudence”
1.24 (1.08-1.42)
0.002
1.18 (1.05-1.33)
1.44 (1.24-1.68)
1.2 (1.07-1.35)
1.68 (1.49-1.9)
1.18 (1.05-1.33)
0.85 (0.74-0.97)
1.28 (1.13-1.45)
1.48 (1.3-1.68)
1.29 (1.13-1.48)
1.38 (1.23-1.56)
0.77 (0.67-0.88)
1.31 (1.16-1.48)
1.24 (1.09-1.4)
0.007
2×10-6
0.002
9×10-17
0.006
0.02
0.0001
5×10-9
0.0002
9×10-8
0.0001
9×10-6
0.001
1.29 (1.11-1.49)
1.27 (1.12-1.43)
1.24 (1.1-1.4)
1.7 (1.5-1.92)
1.18 (1.04-1.33)
1.17 (1.04-1.32)
0.0008
0.0001
0.0004
5×10-17
0.01
0.01
„Sociability”
„Rumination”
„Equity”
„Punctuality”
„Work”
„Demanding profession”
„Patience”
„Contemplative nature”
„Authority”
„Endure unacceptable”
„Authoritarian parents”
„Self-assertion”
„Discontent”
„Irritability”
„Openness”
„Compassion”
„Affectionate”
„Altruism”
„Sacrifice”
„Responsibility”
„Tension”
OR (95% CI)
P
1.61 (1.06-2.45)
0.02
1.67 (1.04-2.7)
1.43 (1.01-2.01)
0.03
0.04
1.4 (1.04-1.88)
0.02
1.47 (1.16-1.86)
0.001
1.6 (1.13-2.26)
0.007
1.31 (1.03-1.67)
0.03
1.49 (1.04-2.15)
0.03
1.3 (1.04-1.63)
0.73 (0.56-0.95)
1.36 (1.08-1.71)
1.37 (1.08-1.73)
1.27 (1.01-1.61)
0.02
0.02
0.008
0.009
0.04
1.46 (1.16-1.83)
1.43 (1.14-1.8)
1.33 (1.05-1.68)
0.001
0.002
0.02
1.4 (1-1.96)
1.74 (1.24-2.45)
0.05
0.001
1.48 (1.06-2.08)
1.73 (1.24-2.43)
1.49 (1.05-2.12)
0.02
0.001
0.02
G-3M-group
OR
P
(95% CI)
1.57 (1-2.47)
0.05
1.63 (1.02-2.61)
0.04
1.86 (1.19-2.9)
0.005
The maximal scores for the psychological category (PsyCt) were taken into account; G-3M-group/G-6M-group/G-12M-group/G-group = the group
of patients with ultrasonographic evidence of gallstones in the last 3 months/in the last 6 months/in the last 12 months/any time in the past;
OR = odds ratio; 95% CI = 95% confidence interval; P = P-value.
wishes: „Order”, „Equity” (Table 1), „Profession
preoccupation”, „Authority”, „Authoritarian parents” (Table 2), „Responsibility” (Table 3);
Putting one’s interest on the second place easily
(or rather inevitably) becomes a source of frustration and discontent, which is another important
psychic tendency in gallstone patients, reflected by
the PsyIts in „Discontent” and several PsyCts: „Demanding profession” (Table 2), „Couple, partner”,
and „Sense of injustice” (Table 1).
Being tormented by thoughts („Rumination” –
Table 1) and a sense of uneasiness/tension („Tension” – Table 3) are rather expected in such an unsatisfied individual, as a distaste for conflict
(„Conflict” – Table 1) is in an obedient one.
Caring for and helping others is a normal, positive behaviour, and so are both observing rules/
principles, and applying oneself to work – neither
of these should be a source of discomfort. Nonetheless, if in so doing, one tramples on his/her desires,
bitterness ensues, which may create a predisposition to GD, as suggested also by animal models
(Earley et al., 2004).
Some PsyIts that do not fall into the above delineated psychological configuration, such as those in
„Health” and „Fear” PsyCts (Table 1). However,
the preoccupation with health is hardly surprising
in an individual aware of his/her disease, as is the
tendency to anxiety and worry, accounting for various fears and phobias. Among these, claustrophobia has the strongest correlation with GD, which
may indicate a more specific relation with this disorder, as narrow spaces might be a metaphor for
imposed or accepted constraints.
These conclusions concur with those of a previous paper derived from a retrospective study undertaken on a much smaller sample, in which it was
proven that organic biliary disorders are more prevalent in submissive, hard-working individuals,
prone to discontent and irritability (Dragoş et al.,
REVISTA MEDICALÅ ROMÂNÅ – VOLUMUL LXII, NR. 1, An 2015
2010). By means of that study, we pointed out selfrepression, but we missed self-sacrifice as a characteristic of the psychology of gallstone patients.
Nevertheless, we are inclined to consider that the
hallmark of a putative gallstone psychological profile is not altruism, but the stifling of one’s desires
while toiling in the name of external regulations,
commands, interests, principles.
The correlations with the PsyCts (Table 6) corroborate the conclusions already reached and warrant some further observations: i) some PsyCts are
rather expected in an altruistic person: ”Sociability”, ”Openness”, ”Affectionate”; ii) the desire for
”Cleanliness”, ”Punctuality”, ”Patience”, a ”Contemplative nature”, “Prudence”, and a reduced inclination to ”Self-assertion” (subunitary OR) are
understandable in an individual inclined to order,
obedience, and self-repression; iii) “Irritability” is
quite expected in a disgruntled individual; rather
surprisingly, none of the PsyIts pertaining to this
PsyCt is ASS-C with any of the gallstone groups,
pointing out the generality (and therefore unspecificity) of this PsyCt. For a similar reason (generality and unspecificity), we haven’t deem very important the PsyIt most strongly correlated with the
G-group: „In life, I had troubles” from „Discontent” PsyCt (Table 2).
Although our study is one of the very few investigating the relationship between the psychological
features of individuals and their risk of developing
GD, the results would be greatly appreciated by
health policy makers and health insurance companies. By means of a simple tool, basically a questionnaire which can be answered on paper or via a
web-page by subjects, the risk of developing GD
could be predicted in a healthy individual, thus
evaluating thoroughly which health insurance plan
would be more appropriate. Certainly, such evalua-
57
tion of the risk of developing various diseases for
healthy individuals, judging by psychological factors, is not at all only limited to GD, but to a variety
of pathologies, as demonstrated by researches in
the field of psychocausal medicine, like CVD (Low
et al., 2010), irritable bowel disease, gastroduodenal ulcer, etc (Michel and Blanc, 1993). Even
though, at present, the questionnaire of our study
seems to extensive to be used in surveys concerning the psychological factors predisposing for disease, a shortened, more concise form, that would be
quick to apply, would be easily available. In fact, in
order to statistically prove the causality between
the PsyIts, PsyCts and disease risk, we had to use a
battery of 614 items, which in real practice might
be reduced to only a few, most significantly correlated with GD risk.
Our study has several limitations. One is the
very way we gathered our sample, which was
thereby restricted to people that have internet access and are willing to fill in a long questionnaire.
Therefore, most of them are young and free from
disease (especially from organic disease) and probably less egocentric than the general population
(while advertising our study we stated that its aim
is to unravel the psychoemotional correlations of
diseases). However, it cannot be considered a serious drawback, as it applies to both the subjects and
the controls. Another limitation is the cross-sectional nature of the study, which makes it impossible to decide whether the psychoemotional characteristics of the gallstone individuals pre-existed the
disease. Nevertheless, common sense suggests that
they can hardly be a consequence of the disease.
Therefore, as they are associated with the disease,
they are most probably linked with the cause of the
disease.
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